Inquiry into 'home leave' attack claim

THE Prison Service has launched an inquiry into how a man serving eight years for attempted murder was given home leave from jail during which he allegedly killed his wife.

The 33-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been allowed leave from prison in order to take up work for a building company in preparation for his full release in three-and-half months' time.

After studying probation reports, the Prison Service had decided he could live at home with the woman he had married while in prison for the attempted killing of a previous partner.

However, while the Prison Service clearly believed he was suitable for temporary freedom, the Parole Board did not. At the end of last month, it turned down the man's application for parole.

Yesterday Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of National Association of Probation Officers, said: 'Home leave is sound in principle, but it must maintain the confidence of the public. It appears in this case that there was no parole supervision. There must be an immediate investigation into what procedures were followed.'

Home and temporary release schemes which have been in operation for more than 30 years are currently under review by the Home Secretary, following a series of disasters. Earlier this month, the Home Office intervened after learning that a prisoner convicted of rape had been allowed out of Erlestoke prison unsupervised after serving three years of a nine-year sentence.

The result of the review, which is likely to result in fewer prisoners qualifying for early freedom and closer supervision, is expected to be announced before the end of the year. In the meantime, Tom Murtagh, a senior area manager, had been appointed to conduct the inquiry into the current case.